Page 105 of Santiago's Conquest (Four Dark Horsemen 1)

His death?

Well, fuck no, amigo.

Frowning, I decide to knock some sense into him, as I don’t need someone seeking death on our mission and begin speaking. “Well, I don’t think—” I don’t have a chance to finish my point though, as the loud, almost deafening siren echoing through the entire house interrupts me.

Fire alarm.

Briseis

In the stretched silence, tension rises across the table, everyone’s gaze focused on my reaction or lack thereof. I finally snap out of my shock, taking a deep breath into my lungs and willing myself to calm down and find a solution to my problem.

I’ve managed to live just fine without Santiago, so I don’t need him holding my hand all the freaking time, although when I see him again, he will damn well hear what I have to say about ditching me here.

He left me in the fire of his creation and expects me to burn right along with his family?

He has another think coming!

“I haven’t started working on my sketches yet. I went to the library yesterday, but then… well….” The relief that instantly washes over everyone at the table is palpable, and it’s clear they dreaded answering any questions I might have regarding this conflict.

Quite frankly, I’m not that interested, or maybe deep down I’m afraid to look closely into it, because it might present the man I know in a different light, and then…

Then would my view of him and his actions change?

Although, who am I kidding?

I already excuse so much shit he does and allow him to touch me freely, sleep with me, and everything else, so I might as well fall down the rabbit hole.

Jimena picks up her napkin, wipes her mouth, and winks at me. “You came to the perfect place.” She leans back on her chair, and I notice how she pats her stomach slightly, almost gently touching it, which raises suspicion in me, but her next words don’t let me dwell on it much. “Santiago for years collected information about the four riders. At one point, he was so obsessed I wondered if he had lost his mind.” She chuckles, wrapping her hand around her water glass and lifting it to her mouth. “That’s his trait though. If he is obsessed with something, the thought or person consumes him.”

Her words hang in the air, no doubt hinting at something to me. But once again, I ignore it, because obsession is an unhealthy short-lived emotion, so I don’t think she should talk about it so proudly.

“Books, you mean? Or the Bible? To be honest, I’m not really savvy on this subject, so I’m not sure where else they could have appeared.”

Rebecca shakes her head, a fake smile on her face, but I don’t miss how her hands shake slightly as she sips her wine. “Santiago has an entire collection about the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse at the guest house. I think you might find it interesting.” She puts the glass back on the table, clasps her hands together, and then rests her chin on them, her blue eyes staring straight at me. “We might also send this work to some of my friends, so take all the time you might need, preferably though finish it in two months… just in time for my upcoming gallery opening.”

“Friends?” I ask dumfounded, slightly surprised at her offer, but also excitement builds inside me despite the earlier scene, because such opportunities don’t just fall in anyone’s lap.

Rebecca is connected to many artists and gallery owners who mean something in this country and has various high-ranked friends abroad, so if any of them sees my work and likes it… I might actually have a chance to make it in the industry.

Because once all of this is over, I won’t have anything but my career, right? So I should work hard on this project despite the fear filling my veins on this new journey where I can fail once again.

Although this time around, failure cannot be an option.

“First though, you have to create a worthy product. I won’t work with anything ordinary or boring.”

I nod absently while she grins once again, only for it to slip from her lips when Lucian gets up, a stormy expression still etched on his features, but there are traces of something else on it too.

Something akin to deep sorrow that probably nothing in this world will ever be able to soothe. “I have a business call shortly. Con tu permiso.” He kisses his wife on the forehead, lingering a little while she clenches the sleeve of his sweater before he steps back and walks around me, patting me gently on the back. “Welcome to the family once again, Briseis. If you ever need anything, do not hesitate to tell me.” He waits a bit and adds, “Our lawyer already knows about the case, so do not talk to the police alone. Request his presence at all times. He’ll be expecting your call.”

“Thank you, that’s so….” He leaves the dining room before I even have the chance to finish the sentence, just like his son earlier, and Rebecca sighs heavily, palming her cheek and standing up too.

“I have a slight headache, so I’m going to lie down in the greenhouse. You girls enjoy dinner. There is chocolate cake for dessert. Our cook bakes the best in the city, believe me.” She kisses her daughter before reaching me and placing a soft kiss on my cheek. “We can discuss the sketches later. I’ll call you tomorrow.” She moves in the direction of the terrace but stops, spinning quickly to face us. “I prepared the guest house with the hope of you guys staying the night. We haven’t had a family breakfast in ages, so if you don’t mind, please stay.”

“I don’t have a change of clothes.” I quickly come up with the most reasonable excuse, but she only waves her hand.

“I already bought a few things, so your room has everything you need. Unless you feel uncomfortable….” She trails off, expecting my reaction, and I curse my husband seven ways to hell for putting me in this situation.

Obviously, their reaction to our marriage lost them some points in my book, but I guess I can’t hold their desire to be on their son’s side against them, and I still feel kind of bad for what just happened, because it’s clear as day they love their son and all this kills them both.

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